Halfway There, by Christine Mari

     In Halfway There, the debut graphic novel memoir by author and illustrator Christine Mari, she decides to spend a year studying Japanese in Japan, trying to complete herself as a "hafa" -  someone who is half American and half Japanese. But she finds it isn't as easy as she hoped, nor does it make her feel more complete. In fact, it makes things for Christine even worse as she tries to embrace her Japanese roots but finds she is still a hafa in Japan, too.

    The artwork is simply wonderful, with a great use of color (and the absence of it) throughout. I love how Mari draws herself and others when they are feeling low or confused - I won't describe it, and it's a simple technique, but when you see it you'll know what I mean, and it's very effective. More effective than words, I think. As the author of this story, as well as its main character (it is an auto-biography, after all), you'll feel Mari's confusion, sadness and loss as she tries to figure out who she is, and what she is.

    The sentiment will speak to many teens, especially older ones, I think. I do think that she really expressed her feelings throughout the story, even when I, as the reader, wanted her to find a way to see her own light before she actually started to. In other words, the story got pretty heavy and dark, and took a long time to recover. Maybe too long for some of you readers, but for those who relate to her trouble, it will probably seem exactly right.

    I love the idea of dual culture and identity in a teen and following along as she tries to figure out where she belongs in all of it. I felt for her as she got stuck in depression but I also kept hoping she could find her way out of it. Spoiler alert: she does, but it takes some time and hard work. Again, the artwork is the star here, and Mari seems like a wonderful person all around. Her writing was good but it didn't tell her story like the artwork did. 4 paws.